Give a Dog a Bone

Scotland

Registered Charity Number: SC044440

About the charity

Founded in 2013, Give a Dog a Bone focuses on two main areas: loneliness in the over 60s and the rising number of pets ending up in often over-crowded animal shelters. They provide financial assistance to over 60s struggling to pay for their pets or those who can’t afford a pet but would love to rehome one. By removing some of the financial barriers associated with pet ownership they hope to combat loneliness.

Give a Dog a Bone has won various awards, such as the Prime Minister’s Point of Light Award in 2015 – presented to their Founder for her outstanding contribution to volunteering – along with the International Fund for Animal Welfare’s ‘Community Award’ in 2016, for their work in bringing older people and rescue animals together

Give a Dog a Bone supports the over 60s to afford a rescue pet companion which tackles loneliness for the individual and homelessness for the animal. The charity has also established a community space project where they offer free activities for the over 60s and drop in times for the whole community to pop in for a cuppa, chat and meet some of their dogs.

Together we’re helping

Through many years of research and first-hand experience, Give a Dog a Bone knows the positive impact a pet can have on its owner’s wellbeing. That’s why they have spent the last five years offering financial assistance with pet food and insurance costs, enabling individuals over 60 to either rehome an animal or afford to keep their pet. As part of Ecclesiastical’s 12 Days of Giving campaign, Give A Dog A Bone won a £1,000 donation which helped towards offering financial assistance with the above associated costs.

Give a Dog a Bone also won a £1,000 donation as part of Ecclesiastical’s Movement for Good awards, which will go towards supporting the charity’s community space project. Over the past five years, the charity has helped hundreds of older adults and rescue animals to have a happier life, together. The community space project gives retired people a safe space to make new friends, learn new skills and mix with dogs.

The funding will directly enable over 200 people a week to attend the community space project.